Elliot Goldenthal - In Dreams - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1998)

The ambitious In Dreams embraces electronics with a fervor unmatched by Elliot Goldenthal's previous scores. While his signature orchestral sensibilities remain firmly entrenched, the music's reliance on dissonant, otherworldly sound effects contributes most to its effective evocation of filmmaker Neil Jordan's nightmare world. Not all of Goldenthal's effects are synthetic, either. Squawking saxophone, abrasive guitar, and dissonant strings further establish a bleakly surreal soundscape rife with mystery and portent. A challenging listen by any definition, In Dreams works better onscreen than on record, but it nevertheless represents a creative breakthrough one hopes Goldenthal will further refine across subsequent efforts.~ Review by Jason Ankeny